{"id":294,"date":"2018-09-16T20:52:09","date_gmt":"2018-09-17T03:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/?p=294"},"modified":"2018-09-16T20:52:09","modified_gmt":"2018-09-17T03:52:09","slug":"5-key-strategies-when-facilitating-in-online-learning-environments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/5-key-strategies-when-facilitating-in-online-learning-environments\/","title":{"rendered":"5 key strategies when facilitating in online learning environments"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-295 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2018\/09\/facilitateonline-120x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"300\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 120px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 120\/300;\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-295 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2018\/09\/facilitateonline-120x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"300\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 120px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 120\/300;\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-296 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2018\/09\/www.thegreenplanet.org_-120x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"300\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 120px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 120\/300;\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-296 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2018\/09\/www.thegreenplanet.org_-120x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"300\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 120px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 120\/300;\" \/><\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DADDP_8JXcE\/view?embed&#038;meta#?secret=U8ATcfD176\" data-secret=\"U8ATcfD176\" height=\"1000\" width=\"382\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">After spending many years as an online facilitator, as well as reviewing the work of varied experts as part of our LRNT 528 Unit 1 readings, one key element really comes to the fore when discussing strategies to facilitate effectively in online learning environments: being agile and flexible (Dunlap &amp; Lowenthal, 2018).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As learners change, facilitators need to change, and having variety is essential to connecting with learners who come from a myriad of backgrounds, all with inherent learning strengths.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In the following paragraphs, I will outline five strategies I feel are essential to being a successful online facilitator.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">First off, <b>early in the learning arc<\/b> <b>introduce yourself, what has led you to this position, as well as sharing a few personal details<\/b> (Boettcher, 2013; Dunlap &amp; Lowenthal, 2018).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This makes you \u2018real\u2019, and if successful will inspire students to identify with you as well as ideally feel comfortable expressing themselves and participating in further class interactions.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In my own experience, learners have also expressed that this helps to reduce the hierarchical distance many associate with educational environments, which has then led to an increased sense of community in my classes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Next, <b>setting clear expectations and desired outcomes at the outset, and trying hard to stick to them<\/b> (Boettcher, 2013).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Being clear to what extent learners are expected to participate as well as how you plan to contribute to discussions and give feedback cannot be overemphasized (Boettcher, 2013). Modelling desired behaviour (Bull, 2013) to learners as well as making it easy for learners to access and revisit these expectations can also reduce confusion. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Another potent strategy is to <b>vary activity types and methods of presenting learning content<\/b> (Boettcher, 2013; Dunlap &amp; Lowenthal, 2018). Different learners connect differently with material in videos, audio, text and image form, so being inclusive of all learners is important.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Also, creating activities which encourage pair and group work, blogging, journals, use of multimedia, as well as traditional essay type responses can inspire and challenge learners as well as develop varied skills.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Importantly, <b>do all you can to link course materials or learner focus to real applicable life contexts.<\/b><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I for one have always engaged more with material which I can see as being useful in my own life and work. Linking concepts to their practical uses can help with retention of material (TPC Training, 2018), as it is being applied and not just learned to be successful in the assessment then filed away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Lastly, <b>encourage and facilitate knowledge construction through peer interaction and personal reflection activities <\/b>(Dunlap &amp; Lowenthal, 2018).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Working in groups and dealing with varied personalities diplomatically are essential skills for life in general, so create avenues for these competencies to develop organically.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">References<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Boettcher, J. (2013). Ten best practices for teaching online. Retrieved from Designing for Learning: http:\/\/designingforlearning.info\/writing\/ten-best-practices-for-teaching-online\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Bull, B. (2013, June 3). Eight Roles of an Effective Online Teacher. Retrieved September 10, 2018, from Faculty Focus: https:\/\/www.facultyfocus.com\/articles\/online-education\/eight-roles-of-an-effective-online-teacher\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Dunlap, J. C., &amp; Lowenthal, P. R. (2018). Online educators\u2019 recommendations for teaching online: Crowdsourcing in action. Open Praxis, 10(1), 79-89. doi:10.1.721<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">TPC Training (2018).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Employee Training: Tips to Maximize Knowledge Retention.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Retrieved September 10, 2018 from https:\/\/www.tpctraining.com\/blogs\/news\/employee-training-tips-to-maximize-knowledge-retention<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; After spending many years as an online facilitator, as well as reviewing the work of varied experts as part of our LRNT 528 Unit 1 readings, one key element really comes to the fore when discussing strategies to&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/5-key-strategies-when-facilitating-in-online-learning-environments\/\">Continue Reading &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,1],"tags":[70,71,21],"class_list":["post-294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lrnt528","category-uncategorized","tag-facilitation","tag-online","tag-rrumalat"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=294"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":304,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294\/revisions\/304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}